One dead in Charles City apartment fire

One person is dead after a Charles City house fire on Monday. Firefighters responded to 303 5th Avenue at about 2:40 Monday afternoon to a large house that had been converted into apartment units.

A news release from the fire department says the porch and front entry of the four-plex was fully engulfed when first responders arrived at the scene. One person was later found dead inside one of the apartments.

The building, owned by Linda Brant of Charles City, was heavily damaged by fire, smoke and water, but no estimate of the damage was available. Firefighters have determined that the blaze started in a piece of furniture on the porch. The cause remains under investigation , but the department believes it is due to improperly discarded smoking material.

Officials are not releasing the name of the person at this time, pending the notification of relatives.